Born in Louisiana in 1936, George “Buddy” Guy is a blues singer, songwriter and guitar player. He is considered a pioneer of the Chicago blues sound and has influenced countless other artists. Over the course of his career, he has released more than 30 albums and won numerous awards, including eight Grammy Awards.
In 2005, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Despite his success, Guy remains humble and down-to-earth, always quick to credit others for his success. As he once said, “The blues is a shared experience. It’s not about ‘I.’ It’s about ‘we.'” That sense of community is evident in his music, which speaks to the human condition in all its beauty and sorrow.
This autobiography chronicles his early life in Louisiana and his subsequent move to Chicago, where he became one of the most celebrated blues musicians of all time. Guy’s story is one of enduring determination and self-belief, as he overcame daunting odds to achieve his musical dreams. When I Left Home is an inspirational tale of a true blues pioneer and one of the best books about the blues.
